McDonald's will soon allow its restaurants in different international markets to follow region-specific guidelines for achieving its recent pledge to purchase sustainable beef.In January, the fast food company — one of the largest buyers of beef in the US — pledged to begin purchasing verified sustainable beef in 2016, with the goal of eventually buying all of its beef from sustainable sources.
McDonald's will soon allow its restaurants in different international markets to follow region-specific guidelines for achieving its recent pledge to purchase sustainable beef.
In January, the fast food company — one of the largest buyers of beef in the US — pledged to begin purchasing verified sustainable beef in 2016, with the goal of eventually buying all of its beef from sustainable sources.
Achieving this goal will depend on sustainability innovation that is unique to local restaurant markets, according to Jeffrey Hogue, McDonald's senior director of global corporate social responsibility and sustainability recently told Bloomberg BNA. Hogue said that for McDonalds innovation often occurs at the market level rather than coming from top-down policies.
The company also is taking a market-driven approach for its goal of improving energy efficiency of company-owned restaurants in top markets by 20 percent by 2020. McDonald's is allowing restaurants in different markets to develop an individualized road map and plan for how to get there. For instance, some restaurants might elect to install more-efficient fryers, while others may choose to install LED lights. Efficiency also could take different forms for new restaurants compared to existing ones.
On May 16, the public comment and review period ended for GRSB’s draft principles and criteria for global sustainable beef (production, processing and retail). The document defines sustainable beef as a socially responsible, environmentally sound and economically viable product that prioritizes the planet, people, animals and progress. The comments submitted on the GRSB draft document will be taken into account, redrafted and available for another review at the end of June.
Published May 28, 2014 3am EDT / 12am PDT / 8am BST / 9am CEST
Managing Director, Sustainability & Social Impact
Deutsche Bank
Mike Hower is a sustainability communicator and connector committed to helping purpose-driven businesses and people unlock their full potential for positive impact. As founder and principal consultant at Hower Impact, he works with companies to translate sustainability strategy into stories that inform, engage and inspire investors, customers, employees, regulators and other stakeholders in the service of social, environmental and business goals. Through his Impact Hired initiative, he works to connect and engage corporate sustainability professionals at all stages of their careers.
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